An Unusual Case of Candida Infection Producing a Fungus Ball in the Left Atrial Cavity

Authors

  • Tonguç Saba
  • Murat Günday
  • Özgür Çiftçi
  • Mehmet Özülkü
  • Hilal Erinanç
  • Hale Turan
  • Gökçen Çoban

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1532/HSF98.2013187

Abstract

We report the case of a 75-year-old male patient who was treated in our clinic for septicemia and subacute infective endocarditis caused by toxigenic Candida albicans. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed the presence of a thrombus in the left atrial cavity, and the diagnosis was confirmed by computerized tomography. The patient was operated on urgently. Histological examination of the embolic material removed from the left atrium showed the presence of yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans through periodic acid-Shiff stain. The patient was readmitted to the hospital on postoperative day 15, because of reembolism, and died later on. Here we present our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.

Published

2013-11-15

How to Cite

Saba, T., Günday, M., Çiftçi, Özgür, Özülkü, M., Erinanç, H., Turan, H., & Çoban, G. (2013). An Unusual Case of Candida Infection Producing a Fungus Ball in the Left Atrial Cavity. The Heart Surgery Forum, 16(5), E276-E278. https://doi.org/10.1532/HSF98.2013187

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